Should I have pulled over earlier when the cop turned on his lights?

I was going through a busy intersection and about 20 feet past the light a cop decides to pull me over...but this is a busy street and no real place to immediately pull over so I drive about another 50 yards and pull over into a parking lot and then he asks "why didn't you pull over earlier". I told him I didn't really want to stop in the middle of busy traffic. Next time should I pull over in the middle of a busy intersection or do what I did?

Pat S

He may have thought you didn't see him.

As long as the cop knows you're planning on pulling over at the first suitable place, there shouldn't be a problem. If he thinks you don't see him, or worse - are ignoring him - he's going to have issues with it, and you can expect some trouble.

Make your intentions known by nodding at him, signaling, slowing down, etc. Turn off the road onto a side street, parking lot, or whatever the first chance you get. Leave room for his car to pull in behind yours, and stop immediately. Not many officers will get upset at anyone for doing that.

Irish

You did the right thing by waiting until you found a safe place to pull over. Most cops understand that...and will even tell you to move your car to a parking lot or up the road farther if you've stopped in a busy area.

Next time though (if there is one) you might just want to signal back to the cop somehow that you realize he's there. This guy might have thought that you were ignoring him or something and that's why he got all snotty.

kneeslide12

If you have the space to pullover earlier than do it. Otherwise explain your actions to the officer. You did correctly.

tonalc1

I think you did the right thing.

Sherlock

If there were cars on your right and you could not safely stop, You did the right thing, even though the law says you should "immediately" pull to the right when approached by an emergency vehicle. If you didn't get a ticket, maybe the officer liked your answer. If you ever get stopped in a scenario just like this one, tell the officer your sorry you didn't pull over right away, you was looking for a place to stop that was safe for both of you.

Warren D

I don't think he'd have wanted you to stop in a lane of traffic.

You used your best judgement. The officer should have recognized that.

tommy44432

Here's what I do but I do it mostly cause I'm an a**hole when it comes to cops. I stop IMMEDIATELY no matter where I'm being stopped. Don't care how busy the road is and if the cop wants to take care of business there it's his choice....hehehe.

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